Portable, stroke-actuated liquid dispensing system



April 23, 1957 A. A. 'JERNANDER EI'AL 2,

PORTABLE STROKE-ACTUATED LIQUID DISPENSING SYSTEM Filed June 28, 1954 J'JYYMI'QR ALF/IV .A. Jf'R/YAIDfR AXE! ANDERSON I v I United States Patent PORTABLE, STROKE-ACTUATED LIQUID DISPENSING SYSTEM Alvin A. Jernander and Axel G. Anderson, Minneapolis, Minn., assignors to K-P Manufacturing Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application June 28, 1954, Serial No. 439,502

4 Claims. (Cl. 47-1) This invention relates to a liquid dispensing system and particularly to one which is portable with the supply tank thereof carried on the back or shoulders of the user and stroke-operated to quickly and accurately dispense a predetermined small charge of liquid.

It is a general object of our invention to provide a simple, very convenient and light, portable apparatus or system whereby an operator can very quickly and accurately apply or discharge a small predetermined quantity of liquid at a precise location through the medium and manipulation only of one hand.

The invention while widely applicable to the dispensing of measured small charges of liquid to particular objects, fittings or elements, lends itself particularly well for use in killing suckers on certain plants such as tobacco and for uniformly distributing a desired liquid or medicament to the stem of a cut top of a plant.

A further object is the provision of dispensing apparatus of the class described wherein the dispenser per se and its discharge nozzle and applicator cap are all easily carried by one hand of the operator and a measured charge dispensed from the same hand, by stroke-operation of a lever through the medium of the index finger and where further, closely cooperating with the handle portion of the dispenser and discharge nozzle an efficient means is provided for quickly severing the top of a plant standing in the field.

Our invention is also widely applicable for industrial use where the problem of applying a liquid such as an oil or chemical to small fittings or receivers, is involved.

The foregoing and other objects will be apparent from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the use of one form of our complete device for topping and applying fluid to the cut tops of tobacco plants;

Fig. 2 is a view mostly in side elevation with some parts broken away and shown in vertical section, illustrating the adjustable, stroke-dispensing device; a

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a detail, vertical section taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 showing the applicator nozzle for tobacco plants and the like; and

Fig. 5 is a similar vertical section showing a diflerent type of applicator nozzle.

The structure of the stroke-operated dispenser illustrated in detail in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings comprises a cylindrical, elongated shell 7 having a restricted neck portion 70 at its upper end which is externally threaded for removably receiving a cap member 8. Shell 7 is of a diameter to be conveniently grasped by the human hand and constitutes a handle for the entire dispenser. The lower end thereof is apertured to receive a flexible conduit C which is frictionally and stretchably telescoped over and supported from a reciprocable fluid impeller which includes a depending pump tube 9 and ball check ice valve 10. Pump tube 9 has a diminished and truncated conical lower end 9a in which is seated the ball valve 10 for controlling upward flow of fluid or oil from conduit C into the lower portion of pump tube 9. Pump tube 9 slidably embraces with working clearance a depending, rigid tube 11 which is affixed as by a retaining nut 12 to the under portion of the top of cap 8. Within the medial portion of the rigid inner tube 11, a conventional ball check 10' is mounted in an appropriate seat 11a. The cap 8, nut 12 and inner rigid tube 11 are rigidly afiixed and support a gooseneck tube 13 which is in open communication with the depending inner tube 11 and which is, as shown internally threaded at its outer end to receive and support a tapered fitting nut 14'which carries a small diametered ejection nozzle 15. Nozzle 15 projects some distance outwardly and terminates in a depending delivery end 15 a.

Mounted for rocking action upon the gooseneck 13 is an angle lever 16 which is apertured in the intermediate portion thereof just below the upper working end 16a to accommodate loosely the cross sectional thickness of the outer portion of gooseneck 13. A spring cushioning clip 16b may be provided in the upper apertured portion of the lever properly curved in contour to promote and facilitate rocking action of the lever when the lower finger arm 16c thereof is depressed inwardly towards the cylindrical handle shell 7.

Near the end of the working arm 16a ofthe angle lever, an oval shaped slot is formed to accommodate an upstanding connector link 17 which extends through a suitable aperture 8a in the top of the cap and thence downwardly to a point some distance below the upper end of pump tube 9, where it is connected by a metal strap 1711 with the intermediate portion of pump tube 9.

A compression coil spring 18 surrounds the lower portion of link 17 and is interposed between the upper end of the connection of strap 17a and the bottom of cap member 8, thereby urging the terminal portion of the working end 16a of the angle lever downwardly into the position as shown in Fig. 2.

When the finger arm of the lever is pressed inwardly towards handle cylinder 7 by one of the fingers of a hand supporting the dispenser, the lever is rocked on its fulcrum causing pump sleeve 9 to be slidably moved upwardly a predetermined distance with reference to the stationary inner tube 11, thereby in such action lifting the fluid contained in the lower portion of the pump cylinder and producing a predetermined ejection of fluid through the ejector nozzle 15.

The stroke of lever 16 is adjustable within a predetermined range by means of an adjustment bolt 19 threadedly accommodated in the medial portion of the wort:- ing arm 16a of the lever and projecting downwardly a predetermined distance for abutting the top of the goosw neck 13. A lock nut 20 is threadedly applied to bolt 29 and is adapted to be swedged against the thread of bolt 19 and the top of working arm 16a for locking purposes in a predetermined adjustment.

In our apparatus, as shown, and for many uses thereof, the dispenser previously described is combined for operation with a liquid container or compact tank T, shown of rectangular form and provided with a filler opening 21 which is closed by a cap 22 provided with a conveutional breather therein. The container is provided with flexible shoulder straps 23 which may be readily applied to the two arms and shoulders of the user as shown r Fig. 1, whereby the tank may be conveniently and com fortably supported from the shoulders and back of the user. At the bottom of the container, a suitable nipp e is provided for frictional connection with the inner end of the flexible conduit or hose C.

While our apparatus is particularly well adapted for uniform application of a fluid to the top of a cut plant such as tobacco, it is also well adapted for use as a portable measuring dispenser for applying small quantities of oil or other fluid to lubricating points in an oiling system, a machine or for various industrial uses.

With special reference to use as an applicator for measured dispensing charges for the cut end of growing plants or for application uniformly of fluid to any upstanding spindle or rod, an applicator cap 24 as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, is provided. This cap has an upper tapped end for threaded connection with the externally threaded extremity of the nozzle 15. The lower portion of applicator cap 24 forms a small flaring skirt, is symmetrically hollow and is provided with a series of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced, internal grooves 24. The tapered internal contour of the applicator causes the same to readily embrace the upper end of a stem or cut stalk. The fluid, ejected through the swirling movement created by its passage through a restricted port 24b and with the cooperation of the longitudinal grooves 24a, is uniformly distributed about the cut stern.

In Fig. 5, a diiferent type of applicator cap or nozzle end 25 is shown for discharging the fluid in a small jet.

Referring again to the important use of our apparatus for applying fluids to the cut stalks of the tobacco plants and the like, we provide in close association and combination with the dispensing device, its handle and its nozzle, 3. stalk-cutting mechanism to facilitate quick and efficient cutting of the top of a plant or the like. In this connection, a bracket indicated as an entirety by the numeral 26 is clamped as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 to the inner portion of nozzle 15, said bracket as shown, integrally carrying a supporting plate 2611 which has a widened central portion, a diagonally extending blade-supporting portion 26b and a terminal hook or guard portion 260. A cutting blade 27 such as a conventional razor blade may be clamped between the intermediate portion 26b of the plate and a blade-engaging plate 28 which is adjustably carried upon intermediate portion 26b and may be clamped thereagainst by a winged nut 29 having threaded engagement with an upstanding bolt 29a.

Fig. 1 well illustrates the great convenience and the efficiency of our dispensing system in accurately applying a measured charge of liquid to a desired point such as an upstanding stem or in industrial uses, a fitting or a very small receiving element.

The foregoing description has made clear the operation of the stroke type pump which through its inherent nature, discharges a predetermined measured charge, each time bell crank lever 16 is pulled by the finger of the operator who carries and supports the dispenser device and operates the same with one hand. Through adjustment of the bolt 19, the volume of the dispensed charge may be varied within a predetermined range.

In use for topping and treating the topped ends of standing plants such as tobacco, the operator holding the dispensing device by handle shell 7 may go down a row of plants quickly cutting the tops by confining the top in the hook 26c and pulling the same towards him to cause the edge of knife 27 to sever the top. Thereafter, without changing the positioning of the operators hand the cut top may be embraced by the depending skirt of the applicator 24 and a measured charge uniformly distributed about the circumference of the cut top by a single stroke of the bell crank lever manipulated with the index finger.

Similarly, in industrial uses, an operator may very easily apply a measured charge of oil, chemicals or the like to a plurality of relatively small cups, oil fittings, receptacles or the like.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that we have provided simplc, light. portable dispenser system whereby an operator with a minimum of elfort may accurately and quickly dispense measured quantities of liquids to precise location as desired. The manipulation and carrying of the entire dispensing device and its stroke operation is effected by the use of one hand of the operator.

It will further be noted that with the close cooperation of conduit C and the shoulder-supported tank T, the dispensing device may be readily moved to various levels within the operators reach.

It will of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangements and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of our invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a portable dispensing system, a liquid tank having means connected therewithlfor its support from the person of an operator, a liquid dispenser comprising a hollow and enclosing shell constituting a handle and having a tubular nozzle attached to the upper end thereof, a reciprocating-type pump device supported within said handle shell and having its upper end communicating with said nozzle, said pump device having a reciprocable fluid impeller, said shell having a conduit receiving opening formed therein, a flexible conduit extending from said tank through the aperture in said shell and into communication with the lower portion of said pump structure within said shell, a stroke lever shiftably mounted upon the upper portion of said shell and positioned to be actuated by a finger of a hand of an operator grasped about said shell, a positive connection between said stroke lever and said fluid impeller within said shell, said nozzle terminating in an applicator cap adapted to control delivery of a measured charge of liquid.

2. Light, portable dispensing apparatus comprising a liquid tank having means for attachment to and supported from the person of a user, a liquid dispenser comprising a hollow and enclosing handle member having at the upper end thereof, an elongated discharge nozzle projecting laterally therefrom, a compact pump mechanism disposed Within said handle shell and having communication at its upper end with said nozzle, said shell having a conduit-accommodating opening adjacent the lower end thereof, a flexible conduit extending from said tank through said opening and into said shell and communicating with the lower portion of said pump structure, a cutter blade projecting from the outer portion of said nozzle and having a cutting edge extending generally transversely of the nozzle, said plate being controllable through said nozzle and said handle for severing the top of a plant and said nozzle having an applicator cap atthe extremity thereof beyond said cutter and shaped to surround the cut end of a plant and to substantially uniformly apply a discharge of material to said cut end and means carried by said shell for stroke-actuating said pumping structure.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1 and said applicator cap having a flaring skirt of dimensions for nicely surrounding the topped stem of a plant, the interior of said skirt being provided with spaced, longitudinal grooves to cooperate in uniformly distributing the desired liquid.

4. Light, portable dispensing apparatus having in combination, a shell, handle member, having afiixed at the upper end thereof an elongated discharge nozzle projecting laterally therefrom, a compact pump mechanism connected to and supported by the upper portion of said shell and protected thereby and comprising a fixed, inner pump tube having a check valve therein to prevent downward discharge of liquid and also comprising an outer and lower pump tube slidably and closely fitting said first mentioned pump tube and terminating at its lower end in a nipple portion having a check valve therein, a fiexible tubular conduit connected with the lower end of said second tube and adapted to be connected with a tree of liquid, 0 stroke lever supported from the upper portion of said handle structure and having a working arm connected with said slidable pump tube for shifting 6 the same upon said stationary tube, said lever having 21 2,292,710 Morrow Aug. 11, 1942 finger piece disposed in accessible relation to said han- 2,595,118 Anderson Apr. 29, 1952 dle, said discharge nozzle being in communication with 2,687,596 Rakestraw Aug. 31, 1954 said upper fixed pump tube and terminating at its upper 2,726,484 Simpkins Dec. 13, 1955 end in a discharge element. 5 2,730,838 Wilson Jan. 17, 1956 References Cited in the file of this patent Th Cl oq i fi :E S t E Z gSO Inf e 1p- 1, pu is e c 0 er as orma- UNITED STATES PATENTS tion Series No. 3, Dept. of Agricultural Engineering, N. C. 773,743 Von Hofimann Nov. 1, 1904 10 Agr. Expt. Sta., Raleigh, N. C.; 17 pages plus cover and 2,168,493 Plews Aug. 8, 1939 frontispiece. 

